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High Density Housing in a Central

District in Hanoi
A Climatic Design Analysis

Le Lan Huong
Lecturer
Hanoi University of Civil Engineering

Abstract
Climate is one of the important factors to be considered in planning and architectural
design. In Vietnamese traditional architecture, open spaces such as garden,
courtyard and light well are very necessary parts of the house, especially in a narrow
and deep house, which has been a typical house in Hanoi for many decades. The
main topics taken into consideration are the use of the open spaces in the tube house
and their effect to the indoor climatic condition. In this study, simulations using
DEROB-LTH, AIOLOS and Leso DIAL software were established to calculate the
influence of the open space on ventilation, thermal comfort and lighting condition.
The result is: i) a courtyard or a light well plays an important role in the indoor
climate. ii) changing the height of light well directly affect to cross ventilation, so it
makes a great influence to thermal comfort in the house. iii) changing the height of
light well is less effect than adding a small backyard in both view of ventilation and
lighting for the studied tube house.

Introduction
Vietnam is a republic of Southeast Asia bordered by China on the north, by the
South China Sea on the east and south, and by Cambodia and Laos on the west.
Officially it is the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and its area is 331,690 km² with the
coastlines of 3,444 km (excluding islands).
Vietnam has a population of 79,939,014 (2001), yielding a population density of
241 people per km². The southern part of the country is more urbanized than the
northern part, but although urban development is proceeding, the majority still live
in small villages, only 20 per cent of the population being urban.
Most residents are ethnic Vietnamese, and Vietnamese is the common language.
Hanoi, capital city of Vietnam, is in the northern part of the country, about 140
km from the Gulf of Tonkin. The city is located on the west bank of the Red River,
in the middle of the fertile river delta of the same name. Metropolitan Hanoi had a
population of 3,056,146 in 1989.
Since the 1980s, rapid and uncontrolled migration into Hanoi from other areas of
Vietnam and the arrival of numerous foreigners has created severe housing
problems. Economic and social problems have also developed as Hanoi has tried to
absorb poor migrants who seek employment in the city.
Much of the city is characterized by leafy boulevards and villas built by French
colonialists, but Hanoi actually has been inhabited for about 1,400 years.
Hanoi is a city in transition. Having sustained periodic bombing during the Vietnam
War, the city now features high-rise office buildings and hotels in
its outer districts. With the opening of Vietnam to joint-venture business and
tourism, tourists more consider about Hanoi through architecture works in Old
Quarters.

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Figure 1. Hanoi- a picture of the old and the new development.

Background
Vietnam occupies the easternmost part of the
Indochina’s Peninsula, a rugged, elongated S-
shaped strip of mountains, coastal plains, and
river deltas. Vietnam may be divided into four
major regions. In the northwest is the
mountainous southerly extension of China's
Yunnan Plateau. To the east of the highlands is
the Red River delta, triangularly shaped
lowland along the Gulf of Tonkin. Hanoi is
located in this region.

Geography
Hanoi is located in the centre of north Vietnam,
limited between 20°53 to 21°23 North latitude
and 105o44 to 106o02 East longitudes. Most of
the area of Hanoi is in the Red river delta with
an average altitude from 5m to 20m.
Figure2. Map of Vietnam

Climate
Hanoi has a tropical hot – humid monsoon climate with clearly four distinctive
seasons. Hanoi has a high humidity, hot rainy summer and cold dry winter. The
most distinctive characteristic of Hanoi’s climate is the fluctuations between the
cold and the hot season.
Temperature
In summer, from May to September, the weather is hot, average temperature during
day is 30 –34oC with a great deal of sunshine. The air temperature reaches the
highest values at the end of June and the early of July. In the winter, from November
to January, waves of Northeast monsoons in every 7 –10 days bring in cold air,
lowering the average temperature to 10 –15oC. (Figure 5)
Relative Humidity
Hanoi is located near the sea and in the monsoon effect area, so the relative humidity
is very high during most of the year. The average relative humidity of more than
70% occurs all the time, especially it reaches a high value in March and in the rainy
season (from May to September). (Figure 5)
Wind

Figure 3. Prevailing wind in winter and summer Figure 4. Total wind

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High Density Housing in a Central District in Hanoi

In summer, the prevailing wind is South-eastern wind, coming from the sea. In
the winter, prevailing wind is from North and Northeast with dry and cold air
making the weather muggy and uncomfortable.

Figure 5. Monthly climatic data graph

Architecture
Concerning architecture, Hanoi can be divided into the following areas: the ancient
and old streets, the old citadel, the residential areas and the new quarters.
Traditional Housing in Hanoi
Traditional architecture has been developed through trial and error to suit the social
needs of the inhabitants and the local climatic conditions.

Figure 6. A traditional house

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Orientation in a traditional house plays an important role in coping with the climate.
Most traditional houses in the North delta are open to the South or Southeast to let
sea wind in. Thick brick walls with very small windows facing East and West can
restrict the direct radiation of the sun inside the house.
The roof shelters the occupants from the rainfall and the heat of solar radiation.
The slopping roof drains off a big amount of rainfall. The deep verandah provides
shading for the wall and prevent the rain splashing this wall.
The construction of the houses is wood frame structures made from timber or
bamboo. The natural cross ventilation has been taken into account by using a
permeable enclosure. The building materials of wall such as woven bamboo and
wood board permit air movement indoors. Roof materials such as reed and clay tile,
laid on bamboo frames give the possibility for air flowing through the splits.
Garden with many kinds of trees and plants surrounding the house is not only for
providing fruit and vegetable but also for improving the indoor climate of the house.
This garden plays a role as a buffer space of the house. Location and kind of these
trees are also carefully considerate in the traditional houses.
Hanoi housing in the French colonial period
In the early French colonial period (1874-1920) the built up area was largely
confined to three sections of Hanoi’s old sector: Ancient Quarter, the Citadel Area
and the French Quarter. In 1922, French Government decided to establish a new
residential area (now it is called BTX area) to provide dwelling for Vietnamese
officials as well as reduce the congestion in the overpopulated quarters of Hanoi.
Ancient Quarter
Hoi An set apart, Hanoi is Vietnam's only city where ancient streets can be found.
The houses still keep an appearance as they had at the end of 19th century. Prior to
the French colonial period these streets had all the same appearance and laid out in
an order similar to a chessboard; most of them were named after the goods
manufactured or sold there. For instance, Hang Duong means "Sugar Street", Hang
Bac "Silver Street"…

Figure 7. Ancient Quarter


Most of houses of these streets have the shape of tube and are called "tube
houses". The house is like a tube with its narrow width and deep length; it is
sometimes opened into another street, different from that of the entrance door of its
front.
All the houses have similar disposition with the front rooms serving as places
where goods are manufactured or sold, small open courtyards to let in light, usually
with ornamental rock works and little water-pools with gold fish, and adorned with
ornamental plants and flowers. Back rooms serve as living sections with dining and
bedrooms. Most of these houses are covered with small tiles with a characteristic
feature: two walls of the gable are built so that they arc higher than the roof and
evoke a staircase with two funny pinnacles.
Thus, "tube- like houses" are simple and narrow and mostly one-storey houses.
They serve both as the place of manufacturing or of selling products and as the
dwelling house of the family. In these streets, the shops are open all day long and
even in the evening; the quarter is always lively, the street inhabitants help each
other, having the same interests. This community of people share the same fate; they
are united by feelings of solidarity.

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High Density Housing in a Central District in Hanoi

French quarter
In 1886, the French
Administration designed a master
plan for the city's development.
The Ho Guom area was
reconstructed at first. In the
second stage of reconstruction,
ponds, lakes, waterways
including the To Lich river were
filled in, and the old citadel
together with an earthen
enclosure (1894-1896) destroyed.
The ancient streets had their road
straightened and were added with Figure 8. A house with French and Asian
works of infrastructure. Some of architecture styles
the old houses were
their original architectural style being respected, others left the place to new houses
built in Western style with 2 or 3 stories.
As the result, "Western" streets emerged, one to the south of Ho Guom Lake,
and another on the place where the old citadel used to be, near the Concession Area
which was built in the first days of the period of French colonialism.
These core buildings with "orthodox" architecture, with black stone roofs,
surrounded by peripheral verandas. Most of the villas were built after the
architecture of France: inclining roofs, smart and meticulous decorations over the
door and on the roof. In these three above-mentioned quarters, in the 20s and 30s
appeared buildings with European and Asian architectural styles.
Most of them result from previous research in architecture, particular in order
to make the buildings more adapted to the traditional and natural environment.
The streets constructed during this period contribute to the architectural
richness of Hanoi, a city with harmonious beauty enhanced by natural landscapes
and cultural reminiscences.

Bui Thi Xuan (BTX) district - The study area


The house chosen for this research is located in Bui Thi Xuan district. A mixture of
Vietnamese tube houses and French villa styles can be found at this area. Around
1940, land lots in Hanoi were narrowed and the large- scale villas previously
constructed were no longer feasible.
This period established the strong
architectural character of the local structure
extending the fabric of the French Quarter in
the form of a later and more domestic scale.
Thus this combination style was sought and
its houses perform to be appropriate with the
climate and lifestyle of Hanoi people. The
typical house in BTX area has a tube-like
shape with 5-10meters wide and around 20
meters deep. It is divided into 2 or 3 parts by
courtyards. The inner courtyard in this kind of
houses plays very important role. The number
of inner courtyards does not depend on the
area of a lot, but rather on the depth of each
house. A courtyard has several functions that
are indispensable, particularly in the case of
tube- like house. Figure 9. A house in BTX area
The following are some of its function in order of importance – it serves as:
A light well
A part of the natural cross ventilation system
A space for outdoor activities: washing, drying, and preparing food and
some cottage industry activities, decorative plants, a rocky garden, a
goldfish bond and so on
A space for further development
With regard to through ventilation, courtyards are very effective. With water
present in courtyard, the cooling effect is substantial. The difference between street
o
temperature and indoor temperature is sometime 3 to 4 C higher.

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Like houses in the Ancient and French Quarter, houses in the BTX area have
thick brick walls (220mm) and slope tile roofs. Most of houses are one or two-
storey houses with wood frame doors and windows. The high ceilings as well as
high doors and windows make the natural cross ventilation better.
Modern Architecture
During the period of 1960 - 1970, the State built a series of residential areas in the
suburbs. These are prefabricated houses, rather small and of the same model, built in
Kim Lien, Trung Tu, Giang Vo, Thanh Cong, Thanh Xuan Bac areas. Now most of
them are on the downgrade and lack modern comfort.
The city has been expanded with various construction projects in which of new
residential areas in the suburb. Over the last ten years, the city has been developing
along the Giai Phong Road, Nguyen Van Cu, Lang Ha, Ngoc Khanh, Thai Ha and in

Figure 10. Some pictures of high block in Hanoi

the area of West Lake villas... Multi- storied buildings of governmental offices are
built amidst private houses but the mushroom growth of these areas goes along
without following any master plan.
In the near future, many urban-planning projects (South and North Thang Long
Bridge areas, West Lake Tourism area...) will be carried out with the cooperation
and investment of foreign companies.
It is not a long-term goal of the government to rely on small scale housing as a
main source of housing in the urban area, but in reality small scale housing in
Vietnam makes up about 80% of the housing
fund.
Usually people find a bit of land, typically
about 4-6 m wide and 15-20 m long. The house
then is constructed with or without an architect.
Most new tube-like houses are 4 or 5 storey
ones with the same way in spaces designing. In
this kind of house, living areas such as
bedrooms, living room, and dining room are
expanded maximum. The area for courtyard
decrease as an indispensable result. In some
houses, there is no courtyard at all but small a
light well above stair area only. Conditions of
natural ventilation and day light in many rooms,
especially room at the back of house are very
poor.
Moreover, people tend to build their
houses with brick and concrete because of
financial reason. Wood has become more and
more expensive and impractical material. Figure 11. A new tube house

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High Density Housing in a Central District in Hanoi

Problem
Hanoi is now in a construction boom. Its architectural aspect changes everyday.
Since the end of the 80s with the implementation of the renovation policy, economic
life having been improved, commerce developed, many houses in the Ancient and
BTX Quarter have been demolished, other repaired or rebuilt and often concrete 4-
or 5- storied houses have replaced the old ones. The area of these streets has
gradually lost the beauty of its traditional architecture.

Figure12. BTX area – Combination between old and new character.


In the view of climatic design, most of the new tube-like houses seem to have
adverse effects on thermal comfort. It is now time to start taking carefully
consideration in climatic design that makes a higher quality of living in the tube
house.

Method
Parametric Model
DEROB-LTH
Derob- LTH was originally developed at Numerical Simulation Laboratory of the
school of Architecture, University of Texas at Austin. The Derob- LTH modules are
further developed to suit the local needs at the Department of Building Science at
Lund Institute of Technology.
Derob is a powerful software for calculation the indoor climate and thermal
simulation of building. The simulation result is given as hourly values of volume,
surface, operative temperature, solar radiation, heating and cooling requirement,
energy flow, and as summary for each month and the whole simulation period.
However, it may not be a complete tool for hot and humid climate, as it does not
take humidity condition into consideration.

AIOLOS
Aiolos software focuses on the calculation of airflow rate in natural ventilation. It is
a good tool for calculation of air change per hour and airflow rate through each
volume at specific time. The result is used as in put for Schedule of HVAC in
Derob.

LESO DIAL
Leso-DIAL gives architects relevant information regarding the use of daylight at the
beginning of the building design process.
Leso Dial is lighting simulation software for many kinds of building such as school,
factory, and museum… The result is daylight sufficiency and daylight factor for
each volume calculated.

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Method and tool


Method Purpose Tool
Literature - To derive a comfort zone for Givoni chart
application Hanoi habitant
- To compare indoor temperatures
of final case with the Hanoi comfort
zone.
- To have general design criteria Mahoney Table
which can be used as suggestion of
Mahoney Table
Parametric - To study the Base case and DEROB-LTH
Modelling understand problems. AIOLOS
- To study other developed cases, Leso DIAL
from which find out the best
solution.
Table 1. Method and tool

Traditional Tools
Givoni Chart
100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50%
4000
AC: Cooling
C: Comfort
DH: Dehumidification 40%
EC: Evaporative Cooling
H: Heating
I: High Inertia
IG: Internal Gains
INV: High Inertia and Night Ventilation
V: Ventilation
3000
DH
30%
jan
feb
Vapour Pressure (Pa)

mar
apr
may V
jun
2000 jul
aug
20%
sept
oct
nov INV
dec

C
1000
10%
IG
I
H
AC
EC
0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45
Temperature (°C)

Figure 13. Givoni chart


As can be seen from the Givoni chart, the comfort area for Hanoi is ranged from
16oc to 25oC with humidity from 22% to 80%. In summer, when the temperature is
much higher, ventilation plays an important role to make thermal comfort in Hanoi
building better.

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High Density Housing in a Central District in Hanoi

Mahoney Table
Table 2. Summary result of Mahoney Table for Hanoi climate
Topic Variation Suggestion
Geography Orientation North and South (long exit is east-west)
Ventilation Spacing Opening spacing for breezing penetration
Air movement Room single banked, permanent provision for air
movement
Opening Medium opening (25-40%)
Position of In north and south walls at body height on
opening windward side
Shading Protection of Excluded direct sun light
openings
Building Walls Light walls, short time-lag
properties Walls and floors Light, low thermal capacity
Roofs Light, insulated roofs
Rain Rain protection Protection from heavy rain necessary

Case study
The studied house is a typical house built in 1990s in BTX area. It is a four-storey
house 5.8 meters wide and 22 meters deep. There is a small courtyard that provides
daylight and natural ventilation for the house, especially for rooms in the back.

Figure 14. Plans, main section of house No66 Trieu Viet Vuong Street

Figure 15. Some interior picture of house No66 Trieu Viet Vuong Street

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Data Input
Input for DEROB-LTH
Base Case Description
This study is concentrated on the ground floor of a typical tube house in the BTX
area. Base case is developed from the existing house mentioned before with certain
assumption and modification in order to run DEROB-LTH.
- 4-storey house with 3 common walls, which are considered as adiabatic walls.
- A unique external wall orientated to South, according to Mahoney suggestion.
- A light well- vertical block from ground floor to top for. The height of this space
is changed in Case 01 and Case 02.
Base on the analysis of climatic data for the whole year, climatic data of two
significant months (January and July) have been selected to run cases.

Figure 16. Baseline case model


(Only ground floor structure, the rest of building excluded)

Light well (Vol.3)

Kitchen (Vol.4)
Bedroom (Vol.2)

Livingroom (Vol.1)

Corridor (Vol.5)

Table 3. Baseline case description


Volume Function Dimensions External wall Internal wall
Door Window Door Window
1 Living 5.8x6.5x4 3.0x2.2 1.0x2.4
room
2 Bedroom 4.2x5.5x4 1.0x2.4 2.0x2.2
3 Light well 5.8x4.5x17* 3.3x0.6(2)
4 Kitchen 5.8x 5.5*x4 1.0x2.4 2.0x2.2
5 Corridor 1.6x11.5x4 1.0x3.0 1.0x3.0
Note. * The value will be changed in the developed cases

Material Properties Description


Table 4. Building Material
Kinds Layer Thickness Name Conductivity Spec.heat Density
(mm) (W/mK) (Wn/kgK) (Kg/m3)
Wall Material
Normal 1 15 Cement mortar 0.93 0.29 1800
wall 2 220 Brick in humidity 0.96 0.2 1800
condition
3 15 Cement mortar 0.93 0.29 1800
Adiabatic 1 500 Mineral Wool 0.04 0.24 50
wall 2 110 Brick in humidity 0.96 0.2 1800
condition
3 15 Cement mortar 0.93 0.29 1800
Roof Material
Normal 1 10 Burnt clay tile 0.8 0.24 1900
roof 2 15 Cement mortar 0.93 0.29 1800
3 10 Burnt clay tile 0.8 0.24 1900

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High Density Housing in a Central District in Hanoi

4 15 Cement mortar 0.93 0.29 1800


5 100 R.Concrete in 2.0 0.25 2400
high humidity
6 15 Cement mortar 0.93 0.29 1800
Adiabatic 1 500 Mineral Wool 0.04 0.24 50
roof 2 50 R.Concrete in 2.0 0.25 2400
high humidity
3 15 Cement mortar 0.93 0.29 1800
Floor Material
Ground 1 20 Granite 3.5 0.25 2700
floor 2 15 Cement mortar 0.93 0.29 1800
3 100 Concrete 1.7 0.24 2300
4 150 Sand 0.4 0.24 1700
5 500 Earth 1.4 0.22 1800
Door and window material
Door 1 40 Wood 0.16 0.66 700
Window 1 Single glass

Input for AIOLOS


Table 5. Infiltration and Internal load for cases

Vol Hour Baseline Case Case 02 Case 03 Inter.


Summer Winter Summer Winter Summer Winter Load
ach. ach. ach. ach. ach. ach.
V1 01-07 13.4 5.6 14.5 1.6 13.4 1.5 0
08-11 22.5 6.75 18 2 16 2 150
12-16 13.5 6.4 14.5 2 13 2 150
17-19 13.3 6.8 15.5 2 12 2 0
20-24 13.8 7 15.3 2.1 12.5 2. 0
V2 01-07 13.4 5.6 14.5 1.6 13.4 1.6 150
08-11 22.5 6.75 18 2 16 2 105
12-16 13.5 6.4 14.5 2 13 2 150
17-19 13.3 6.8 15.5 2 12 2 105
20-24 13.8 7 15.3 2.1 12.5 2.1 150
V3 01-07 40.4 40.5 38 10 40 14 0
08-11 35 35.2 32 8 35 10 100
12-16 39 39.2 36.5 15 39 16 100
17-19 36 36 32 15 36 16 100
20-24 49 49 42 21 47 23 0
V4 01-07 5.14 2.4 5.14 1.2 35 2.5 0
08-11 5.75 2.5 5.75 1.2 40 2.6 150
12-16 5 3 5 1.5 42 3 250
17-19 5.3 1.3 5.3 0.6 38 2 600
20-24 2.6 1.6 2.6 0.8 36 0.6 0
V5 01-07 13.4 5.6 14.5 1.6 13.4 1.6 0
08-11 22.5 6.75 18 2 16 2 0
12-16 13.5 6.4 14.5 2 13 2 0
17-19 13.3 6.8 15.5 2 12 2 0
20-24 13.8 7 15.3 2.1 12.5 2.1 0

Note: Summer and winter infiltration (ach.) values in the baseline case are copied from Phan
Thanh Truc- AEE Program 2000. Values for other cases are based on the changing rate
between cases in the researcher’s own simulation on AIOLOS.

Input for Leso DIAL


Table 6. Required illumination
Kind of work Required luminance level Corresponding activities
“Rough” work 100 – 200 lux Storage, circulation, etc…
“Ordinary work” 300 – 500 lux Reading, writing, screen

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work, etc…
“Delicate” work 500 – 1000 lux Design, work on plants,
technical works, etc…
“Very delicate” work > 1000 lux Precision work, quality
control, colour control…
In the case study of housing, 250 lux is suitable lighting condition and it used for all
cases as required luminance level.
All cases are base on the same building materials. Light colour floor, wall and
very light colour ceiling are chosen for simulation. Windows are made of single
glass with the medium frame.

Results
Result from Baseline Case simulation
Baseline Case in summer
In July, both cases with and without passive ventilation are simulated. The
comparison between these two cases directly dedicates the influence of ventilation
to inner temperature of the house.

Baseline Case - July - Indoor Temperature


(All doors and windows are closed)

46
44
Out_Temp
42
40 Vol1_Temp
Temperature

38 Vol2_Temp
36
34 Vol3_Temp
32 Vol4_Temp
30
Vol5_Temp
28
26
1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23
Hour

Figure 17. Baseline case indoor temperature in July in situation without ventilation.

Baseline Case - July - Operative Temperature

35
34
33 Out_Temp
Vol1_Temp
Temperature

32
31 Vol2_Temp
30 Vol3_Temp
29 Vol4_Temp
28 Vol5_Temp
27
26
1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23
Hour

Figure 18. Baseline case temperature in July in situation with passive ventilation.

Observation
In situation without ventilation, indoor temperatures in the ground floor volumes are
extremely high, especially in volume 3. Temperature is ranged from 31oC to 35.5oC

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High Density Housing in a Central District in Hanoi

in volume 1,2 and volume 5. In volume 4, the indoor temperature even reaches
higher value in whole day because this volume has only one wall having opening to
light well. Volume 4 average temperature is 1oC higher than volume 2 during
daytime and 2oC higher at night. Volume 3 seems to be a heat trap with large glass
area above; therefore, the indoor temperature has been the highest number, from 38
to 43oC.
With passive ventilation, thermal condition in all volumes has been improved
remarkably. As can be seen from the below figure, in simulation with passive
ventilation, average operative temperatures in volume 1, 2 and volume 5 are
approximately 3oC lower than in case without ventilation. There is a significant
change in volume 3 – a light well space. In volume 3, the average indoor
temperature is cut down from 41oC to 31oC when passive ventilation is set into the
house.
The temperature change in volume 4 – the kitchen is the smallest. The operative
temperature of volume 4 reaches the highest value in most time in comparison with
others. In this volume, thermal condition is quite corresponding with air change flow
derivate from AIOLOS (ach value of volume 4 is about 30% ach value of other
volumes). This result implies the configuration of this volume may restrict natural
cross ventilation.

45
40
35
30
25 Without ventilation
20 Passive ventilation

15
10
5
0
Vol1 Vol2 Vol3 Vol4 Vol5

Figure 19. A comparison of average indoor temperature in baseline case between


simulations with and without passive ventilation.

Baseline Case in winter

Baseline Case - January - Indoor Temperature


(All doors and windows are closed)

20
19 O_Temp
18 Vol1_Temp
Tem perature

17 Vol2_Temp
16 Vol3_Temp
15 Vol4_Temp
14 Vol5_Temp
13
1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23
Hour

Figure20. Baseline case indoor temperature in January

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Baseline Case - January - Operative Temperature

20
19
Out_Temp
18 Vol1_Temp
Tem perature

17 Vol2_Temp
16 Vol3_Temp
15 Vol4_Temp
Vol5_Temp
14
13
1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23
Hour

Figure 21. Baseline case operative temperature in January

In the winter, operative temperatures in volume 1, 2 and volume 5 are range from 15
to 18.5oC. In the volume 4, the operative temperature is slightly higher (about 0.5o-
C). The season behind is may be a high thermal maintain of volume 4, the space
without external wall.
Contrast to summer, ventilation is not an optimum solution to improve thermal
condition in the house in the whole day. Opening is the result for temperature
increasing during daytime but it makes the house cooler at night and in the early
morning, especially from 2am to 10am.

Day-light Condition
In the aspect of lighting, this study is concentrated on the volume 4, which has a
worst daylight condition. To derive daylight sufficiency and daylight factor of this
volume, DIAL programme is used. The result implies that for the required
illuminace 250 lux, the mean daylight sufficiency is low (only 26%). The
illuminance distribution is quite heterogeneous (only 2.2%) in this volume.

Baseline Case Problems


In all-sided consideration of temperature, ventilation and lighting condition in the
baseline case, there are some problems, following by
In the summer, operative temperature in all volumes is rather high in
comparison with Givoni comfort zone.
In volume 4, cross ventilation effect is not remarkable, so thermal condition
is bad also in the summer.
In the winter, operative temperatures of all volumes seem to be slightly low
at night and in the early morning.
Daylight condition in volume 4 is quite under an acceptable level.

Case Development
Base on dedicated problems of Baseline case; 3 more cases have been established to
solve the problems step by step.

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High Density Housing in a Central District in Hanoi

Table 7. Baseline Case and Case development steps.


Model Description Purpose Used
program
BASELINE CASE (summer + winter)
Ground floor of a typical 4 storey house, 4m DEROB-
height ceiling. LTH
- Volume 1: living room (5.8mx6m) AIOLOS
- Volume 2: bed room (4.2mx4.5m) Leso DIAL
- Volume 3: light well (5.8mx17m)
- Volume 4: kitchen (5.8mx6m)
- Volume 5: corridor (1.6mx11.5m)
CASE 01 (summer + winter)
Baseline case but -To improve daylight Leso DIAL
13m height for inner rooms.
Volume 3 (equivalent
3 storey house)

CASE 02 (summer + winter)


Baseline case but - To test temperature DEROB-
- 8m height for & ventilation changes LTH
Volume 3 (equivalent in summer AIOLOS
2 storey house) - To increase Leso DIAL
- Decreasing of operative temperature
opening time in in winter.
winter -To improve daylight
inner rooms.

CASE 03 (summer + winter)


Baseline Case + - To improve thermal DEROB-
Backyard added condition through LTH
ventilation changes AIOLOS
- To improve daylight Leso DIAL
inner rooms.

CASE 04 (In the Future)


A combine between - To get the best DEROB-
Case02 and Case03 microclimate LTH
condition. AIOLOS
Leso DIAL

Table 8. Further input for Leso DIAL in developed cases


Case Volume Size (m) Opening Over- Atrium height
Width Height Depth No Size (m) hang No Height (m)
Baseline 5.8 4 5.5 1 2.4 x 2.2 0 1 17
Case 2 1x3 0
Case 01 5.8 4 5.5 1 2.4 x 2.2 0 1 13
2 1x3 0
Case 02 5.8 4 5.5 1 2.4 x 2.2 0 1 9
2 1x3 0
Case 03 5.8 4 4 1 2.4 x 2.2 0 1 17
2 1x3 0
3 2.4x2.2 2.4x0.7 2 13

20–15
Le Lan Huong

Results of Simulations

Thermal condition

Figure 22. Case 1 and Case 2 operative temperatures in July and January

Case 02- July - Operative Temperature Case 03 - July - Operative Temperature

35 34
33
33 Out_Temp Out_Temp
32
Vol1_Temp
Temperature

Temperature
Vol1_Temp
31 31
Vol2_Temp Vol2_Temp
30
29 Vol3_Temp Vol3_Temp
29
Vol4_Temp Vol4_Temp
28
27 Vol5_Temp Vol5_Temp
27
25 26
1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23
Hour Hour

Case 02- January - Operative Temperature Case 03- January- Operative Temperature

20 20
19 19
Out_Temp Out_Temp
18 18
Temperature
Temperature

Vol1_Temp Vol1_Temp
17 Vol2_Temp 17 Vol2_Temp
16 Vol3_Temp 16 Vol3_Temp
Vol4_Temp Vol4_Temp
15 15
Vol5_Temp Vol5_Temp
14 14
13 13
1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23
Hour Hour

Case 02
In case 2 simulation in summer, operative temperature in volume 1, 2, 3, and 5 is
slightly changed in comparison with baseline case. In contrast, the operative
temperature decreases in volume 4 are significantly decreased in both day and night
(the former is 0.5oC and the latter is about 1.5oC). When the light well has been
lower, the vertical air movement in the light well is cut down, so more air change
into the volume in the back. That is why cross ventilation in volume 4 raises.
In the winter, when opening time is restricted (most door and windows open only
3 hours per day), passive ventilation is come down; operative temperatures in all
volumes are raised.

Case 03
In summer, it is clear to see from the above figure that, operative temperature in
volume 4 is evidently decreased, first and foremost at night. In case 2, volume 4
average temperature is 2oC lower than in Baseline case. With changing of back wall
from adiabatic wall to external normal one, volume 4 seems to escape from heat-trap
status, so thermal condition is quite better.
Figure 22 shows the comparison of operative temperature in volume 1, 2 and
volume 4 between cases. Volume 3 (the light well) and volume 5 (the corridor) are
not mentioned because of less important areas. Obviously, while operative
temperature in volume 1 changes slightly, temperature in volume 4 cut down
rapidly.

20–16
High Density Housing in a Central District in Hanoi

Figure 23. Comparison of operative temperature between cases


Vol.1, Vol.2 and Vol.4 Operative Temperature
of all Studied Cases in July

32

31.5

31
Vol.1
30.5
Vol.2
30
Vol.4
29.5

29

28.5
Base case Case 02 Case 03

Output of Leso DIAL


Lighting simulation was run for only volume 4, which has the worst daylight
condition in the house. Leso DIAL was used to calculated daylight sufficiency and
daylight factor of the studied volume.
Daylight factor (DF) is the ratio of the daylight quantity (illuminance) available
on the outside and inside.
Ep
DF = (%)
Ehz
Typical daylight factor reaches the moderate level from 2 to 4% and average
level from 4-7%. In this range of daylight factor, the studied volume is probably
suitable for normal living activities.

Baseline case (26%) Case 01 (28%)

Case 02 (30%) Case 03 (41%)


Figure 24. The daylight sufficiency comparison of all cases

As can be seen from the above figure, the mean daylight sufficiency in Baseline case
is quite low for the required illuminance of 250 lux. The day-light sufficiency in the
room is slightly improved in case 1 and case 2 while it is noticeable changed in case
3. It is dedicated that changing the light well height is much less influence on
lighting condition than setting other window.

20–17
Le Lan Huong

In case 3, the mean daylight sufficiency reaches the value of 41%, the average value
for housing illuminance requirement. However, daylight distribution in this case is
less than in the case 02 because the rate between min and max illuminace is less
(only 0.2).

Baseline case Case 01

Case 02 Case 03
Figure 25. Daylight factor comparison in all studied cases

The below table shows the summary of all daylight elements and some comments
for all studied cases.

Case Result Diagnosis


Daylight Daylight Min /Max
Sufficiency Factor illuminace
(%) (%)
Baseline 26 2.2 0.2 - The mean daylight Suff. is LOW
Case - The illu. distribution is quite
heterogeneous
Case 01 28 2.4 0.2 - The mean daylight Suff. is LOW
- The illuminance distribution is
quite heterogeneous
Case 02 30 2.8 0.3 - The mean daylight Suff. is LOW
- The illuminance distribution is
slightly heterogeneous
Case 03 41 2.8 0.2 - The mean daylight Suff. is
AVERAGE
- The illuminance distribution is
quite heterogeneous
Table 9. Daylight sufficiency and day-light factor in all studied cases

Conclusions
In the tube-like house, open-spaces such as courtyard, backyard and light well
always play an important role in improving microclimate condition. These spaces
directly influence on many aspects, concluding thermal comfort, ventilation and
daylight condition.

Ventilation and thermal condition


1. In the summer, ventilation seems to be the best strategy to reduce indoor
temperature for rooms in ground floor, where wall and roof insulation have
not great influence. In this season, the chance of good cross ventilation

20–18
High Density Housing in a Central District in Hanoi

should be elevated in rooms, especially for the room in the back of the
house.
2. In the ventilation view for the studied house, changing the height of light
well is less effect than adding a backyard.
3. With the same effect, ventilation also reduces temperature in winter.
Therefore, in the winter, it is necessary to restrict opening time of doors and
windows to keep the house warm, especially at night and in the early
morning.

Lighting condition
1. With a room having no external wall, openings orient towards light well or
atrium, the height of light well directly effect to daylight quality of the
room. In this study, when the height of light well is gradually reduced
(Case 01 and Case 02), both the daylight sufficiency and daylight factor
raise up one by one. Moreover, the rate between min and max illuminance
increase also. The illuminance distribution is become better.
2. In the case adding an atrium in opposite side is available, the daylight
sufficiency goes up remarkable. However, if the height of existing light
well is remained high (Case 03), the illuminance distribution is still quite
heterogeneous.

In general, the rate between dimensions of the courtyard or light well should be
carefully considered in all terms of ventilation, indoor temperature and lighting
condition.

References
AEE 2001 Course material
Housing, Climate and Comfort.
DEROB-LTH manual
Thermal property of Building material compiled by Erik Johanson
Architectural Research Institute
Architecture and Tropical climate in Vietnam. Ministry of Construction,
Vietnam
Bo Adamson
Design for Climatisation;
Houses in Warm- humid climate.
Hans Rosenlund
2001 Climatic Design of Building Using Passive Techniques
Lund University
Pham Duc Nguyen, Nguyen Thu Hoa and Tran Quoc Bao
1998 Cac giai phap kien truc khi hau Vietnam, (Climatic Design Tools in
Vietnamese Architecture). Hanoi.
Pham Hai Ha
2000 Nghien cuu hieu qua ve vi khi hau cua mot so giai phap kien truc trong nha
ong Ha Noi. (Research on climatic effects of architectural design in Hanoi
tube houses). Hanoi

Acknowledgements
This paper could not be done without the help of HDM department, Lund University
and SIDA organization.
I would like to thank Professor Hans Rosenlund and other lecturers for the
knowledge in Climatic design they have provided to me in the AEE2001 course and
all support they have given for my completion of my study.
I specially thank to Laura Liuke, my tutor, for her advice and guideline.
I am gratefully to all of the staff in HDM, Lund University.

20–19

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